Method and apparatus for appendaging pottery ware



May 23,1944. w. J. MILLER Em 2,249,292

METHOD AND APPARATS FOR APPENDAGING POTTERYWARE Filed May 7, 1941 2sheets-sheet 1 w f l 999 19%, M

[.NVENTORS.

my 23 1944. w. J. MILLER ETAL- 2,349,292

METHOD AND APPARATUS'FOR APPENDAGING POTV'I'ERYWAR Filed May 7, 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ATEORNEY.

granted 23v w44 attacca Willliam d. vMillen Swissvale, and iishieyhitech, Carrick, Pa.; said Rech assigner to said limer Rlpplicatieu ltay7, 19M, Serial No. 392,273@

(Si. 25u-2,2)

26 @latina pottery ware, the appendages, ior instance, cup

handles, are east in molds capable of forming several appendangessimultaneously ail joined to a common stem. The slip (a fluid mixture ofceramic material) hows into the appendage cavities through large branch`ducts in each mold. After an appropriate interval, usually a half houror so, the handles are suiiciently hardened for removal. Each handlemust be broken ofi'the stick by hand and the attaching face shaped to t.the contour of the article. About as much scrap clay is produced asthere is clay in the handles. The fin running around the seam of theappendage is fettled o and the entire appendage lightly gone over with.a moist sponge to smooth it.` After an indenite period of storage in amoist humid atmosphere, the handle is then ready for attachment to thearticle and this 'is accomplished 'oy coating the terminal with slip andthen applying it freehand against the ware. Any surplus slip must thenbe wiped oi with a sponge. In the foregoing system, there is aconsiderable amount of manual carrying back and forth which is laboriousand timestaking.

method and apparatus for slip casting appendages wherein a separableappendage mold and prefabricated article are-cooperated in such fashionas to bring the cavity opening of the mold into registry with the placeon the receptacle determined upon for the appendage; afterwards the moldis filled with slip andthe ware and mold remain together until theappendage unites with the article and hardens to optimum degree. Thus,,the appendaging is done in one simple and easy opveratioinas comparedwith the manual process.

The present application has to do with a new and improved system andapparatus for displacing labor in the practical commercial manufactureof appendaged pottery ware, utilizing the method of slip casting asdescribed in the preceding paragraph. This invention also includes,among other things, new and improved methods and apparatus forautomatically manipulating, circulating and drying molds,settingappendages and feeding slip to molds. All are exceptionally -nglIlDldS and Ware.

useful in the continuous, closed cycle, high speed, mass-manufacture ofappendaged pottery ware.

lThis invention also contemplates the manufacturein rapid succession, orsimilar or diverse appendages formed and united to ware ci similar ordiverse character. lit also maires possible economical line productionof appendaged ware in small or large quantities, with elimination oflabor' and complicated mechanism. The ability to meet the varied demandsof daily production hy mass-producing diversified appendaged wareeconomically is highly advantageous to any pottery, whether large orsmall.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective broken view of the preferred form of apparatusfor practicing the method hereof.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a mold conveying system foruse, if desired, in connection, with the apparatus of Fig. l. t

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the slip feeders.

Fig. d is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 3 illustrating howthe e g apparatus is held inoperative in case no ware has been applied.

Fig. 5 is a top. plan View of the separable casting molds, warev supportand mold actuating mech 'I au;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a feeder or nozzle castingand ware support assembly in casting position. n

Fig. '7 is a rear elevation of the mold dryer.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section showing the restricted passage betweenthe mold cavity and filling opening.

Fig.l9 is a fragmentary section looking down on top of the restrictedpassage.

Fig. 10 is a detail in section showing how the mold may be lleted.

Fig. 11 is an elevation showing how ware may be tilted into sealedengagement with the mold..y

The drawings illustrate how handles are formed and united toprefabricated cups. The invention is not limited, however, to handlingcups, since' itvmay be used to appendage other forms of pottery articleswith appendages, protuberances, lugs and the like of various shapes,sizes, 'composition and description which may be ,located at variouspoints on the article.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 consists generally of a casting machineand a conveyor associ- Y ated therewith for transporting appendage cast-The conveyor preferably comprises a single strand endless 'chain i whichmay travel in a horizontal plane, Fig. 1, in an zontal plate 2| fastenedto the chain I.

undulatory path or partly in vertically ascending and descendingundulating or helical courses, to

conserve -floor space as diagrammatically shownin Fig. 2, the latterarrangementl being preferred. 'I'he angle of inclination of the slantingcourses of the chain, Fig. 2, are such that the slip will not spill outof the casting molds attached to the chain and the .chain will be guidedonto the sprockets in such' fashion as t prevent binding and abnormalwear on either the chain or the sprockets.

The chain I is centered and supported on the twin rails of aV track 2 bymeans of underneath transverse supports 3 having anged wheels 4 restingon the track. 5 is a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on the frame 6 ofthe machine concentric with a curved section 1 of the track 2. Asprocket 8 with teeth closely fitting the chain openings is secured tothe shaft for rotation therewith over which the chain conveyor passes toone or more idler sprockets 9 along the length thereof.

Shaft 5 is continuously rotated by sprocket I0 which is keyed thereonand rotated by chain I3 and sprocket; I4 on shaft I5 of adjustable speedreducer I6. Power is supplied by motor I1 and belt drive I8.

The minimum length of conveyor chain is calculated by first obtainingthe time required for a handle made of proper gravity and compositioncasting slip to harden the desired degree in the mold of a casting unit.Next the number of mold fillings to be made per minute is determined.For instance, if thirty minutes is required for the handle to harden andthe production per minute is '70 then 2100 casting units will be theminimum number required for continuous production. The allowable centerto center spacing times the number of casting units gives the length ofthe chain in inches. For example, 2100 casting units on 7" centers wouldmake the minimum length of chain 1225 feet. In practice about 50% morechain fully equipped with casting molds is added to the minimum chainlength to provide for the additional time to dry molds and transportthem through loading, unloading and filling stations.` /The foregoingcalculations are illustrative only.

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6, each casting unit A comprises a baseplate I9 having a depending center rib 20, Fig. 3, secured to a horifilA hinge pin 22 is secured in plate I9, Fig. 6, on which rigid frames 23of a partible mold assembly are pivotally mounted.

Each frame 23 has one half of a mold 24 (preferably made of absorbentmaterial such as hydrocal or plaster of Paris) cemented or removablysecured as by screws thereto. The mold maybe cast against the perforatedframe 23 with the frames themselves forming two sides of the case. Acavity core (not shown) with flanged vertical portion contoured as thecup may be used to close the open side of the frames 23 and divide sameinto two sections. After the bottom and other side of the case is closedwith ordinary strips of material, each section is filled with liquidplaster. After the plaster has hardened, the core is removed, leavingthe mold in two halves as shown in Fig. 5.

a tongue for insertion in slightly larger tapered.-

dovetailed slots in frames 23. While the frames 75 23 are not shownwith-dovetailed slots, the construction is quite obvious. 'I'his willenable replacement of n iolds without interrupting the operation yof themachine or dissembling of machine parts.

Each mold section has a ware engaging surface 2lb, contoured to nt theexternal vsurface of the Ware and when the mold is closed, a trough-likesurface is presented to the ware. If the ware has little or no verticalcln'vature in the zone to be appendaged (see Fig. 6), the ware may bemoved into nested relation with the trough-like surface 'by movement inthe plane in which it lies.

In the case of ware WI (Fig. 1l) having vertical curvature in the zoneto be appendaged, it is preferred to have the trough-like surface tiltedaway from the ware .in such a way that the ware will be caused to tilton its brim into seated relation with the mold thus raising the rear ofthe ware off the platform. I have found this to provide a limited amountof free floating action between the cup and the internal supporttherefor which appears to faciltate seating and sealing thereof againstthe mold. It also tends rto minimize distorting or stretching the wareout of shape.

Since the mold is divided, each part is formed with one-half of themolding cavity and an inlet passage leading thereto. Thus. when the moldis closed, that portion of the cavity shown at 24a, Fig. 6, forms themolding chamber which may be of any desired contour, and 24d is areserve feeding Well (filling opening) of whatever capacity may berequired. The molding chamber and Well are connected by a shalloworifice 24e somewhat on the order of a slit of such area and contourthat it will not clog, see Figs. 8 and 9. The orifice is located so asto feed Vinto the uppermost portion of the inverted appendage cavity(consequently the lower and less conspicuous por` tions) to therebyavoid air entrapment and feed into the zone where the greater bulk ofthe appendage that solidies last is located.

By virtue of this construction, the material remaining in the reservewell after the .appendage has solidified is connected to the appendageby a portion of,y comparatively small area.- This portion musi; bestrong enough to withstand breakage when the mold is opened because thematerial remaining in the well may have a fluid center and it isimportant to avoid breakage lest the mold or ware become fouled.Furthermore, this portion will break off flush with the surface of theappendage when removal is attempted. This is preferably done with thesame hand and as part of the operation of removing the ware from theconveyor. The technique is to grasp the cup around the body, leaving thehandle free land then snap it with a quick wrist motion. The wellmaterial, due to its inertia breaks oif clean leaving the surface of theappendage smooth or substantially so and thereby eliminating orminimizing the need for manual smoothing. The scrap can be caught in aconvenient disposed container.

To control the speed of solidication within the orifice 24o, a mediumcapable of retarding water absorption to.an optimum degree may, ifdesired, be applied to the apex of the orifice and immediate vicinity.This medium may be a coat ing such as shellac or inserts (not shown)having the proper characteristics as determined by tests in each diversetype. To reduce the bulk or volume of material retained in the well 24d(and subsequently discarded) the walls of the well, in Whole or in part.may likewise be treated to conascaaea trol and prevent the accumulationof an excessive thickness of material thereon.

It will be observed that there are no doWels in the mating faces of themold sections 2d. The mold sections are located by the backs 23 which.vin turn rotate about the hinge pin as a fixed axis. Dowels and theirholes add expense to the manufacture of the molds and are hard to keepclean. Any dirt in a dowel hole will spring the mold and cause it toleak.

Another point to be noted is that the wall of the cavity opening isfllleted as at 23e, Fig. 10. This not only enhances the appearance ofthe finished product by curving the lines of the appendage into the warebut it provides broader footing and hence a stronger bond. It will beunderstood that the fillet, while preferred, is not altogether necessaryand straight sided handles may just as easily be formed and applied.

A guided, freely sliding, carriage composed of upper and lower plates 2land 28, Fig. 6 straddles the base plate l@ and is secured together bybolt 2Q which extends through an elongated opening It@ in plate lil tothereby enable limited horizontal shifting.

fl stud 35 threaded into plates El' and 2d passes through an oversizeaperture Sila inplate E9 to ended mold opening and closing lever 3l'.The mold ls opened and closed and the carriage 21--28 is shifted bylinks 38 and 39 that are attached to depending pins i secured to theframes 23 extending through slots lll in the plate i9. Links 38 andilare pivotally attached to a common pin 02 attached to a crescentshaped 1ink 43 pivotally connected to a crank extension. 42h near the 'icenter of lever 3l. The opposite ends of the lever permit limitedrelative movement of the carriage' and plate it. .d coil spring Slibearing against stud holds the carriage retracted.V Adjustably securedto the carriage by bolt 3l is L shaped thrust member, sometimes hereincalled thrustor 32, having a replaceable plaster facing 33 preferablycontoured to the shape of the cup cavity to which a resilient pad 34 issecured. The pad @d faces the cavity openingV in-the mold `and is spacedapproximately the thickness of the cup wall from the opening in themold, when the thrustor ls in retracted position. It is adapted to pressthe wall of the cup against said cavity opening when the cup is held incasting position. To prevent the application of smaller diameter warethan the unit is suited for, the thrust member 32 may have a gauge meansin the form of vertical member h,

Said pad 34 is preferably composed of a low density resilient material,such as, sponge rubber or it may be alresilient cavitated pad filledwith fluid. The object is to provide a self-aligning surface that willlit the contour of the ware andwill compensate for variations in wallthickness thereof. Thus the ware does not have to be gauged for wallthickness or curvature and can be placed on the appendaging machine inwhatever condition it comes from the dryer as long as the shape isuniform. A narrow slightly projecting rim around the cavity opening inthe mold will improve sealing contact and will produce cleaner juncturlines.

The importance of a self-aligning thrustor is emphasized by the factthat the exterior of the cup is formed by a mold, therefore, it isalways of uniform contour, but not necessarily diameter because the moldwears after a while. The exterior of the cup is formed by an edgeprofile blade which through wear, re-sharpening or resetting may changethe internal shape, contour and wall thickness of the ware. Variationsin wall thickness up to 20% have been known to occur and the zones of'occurrence are apt to vary. Cast cups also vary in wall thickness andtherefore, the provisions of a' yieldable backing up or support memberis highly advantageous particularly in commercial production.

Pivoted on the lower end of stud 35 is a doubleproject beyond themarginal 'edges of plate ld.

When the lever 3l, Fig. 5 is moved in a counterclockwise direction,links 38 and 39 pull the mold sections closed. After the sections areclosed further movement of the lever 3l pulls the carriage assemblyE'i--lill to left against resistance of spring 36 thus forcing the wareW gently but firmly into leak-proof sealing relation with the mouth ofthe mold cavity. Further movement of lever 3l moves pin Q2u; over deadcenter thus locking the carriage assembly and mold sections in closedposition pin 22 acting'as a stop on link ls. When the opposite end oi'the lever 3l is moved in a clockwise direction, the ware W is firstunclamped and is free to oat as the mold starts to open, thus avoidingcracking of appendage at juncture if there should be a slight lateralshifting of mold due to worn hinge or link pin bearings.

Slip is :fed to the appendage molds while they are travelling around asprocket in a loop or bend of the track. Feedlngstations may, ifdesired, occur at more than on'e point along the track asdiagrammatically illustrated at P andR in Fig. 2. The object of havingmore than one feeding station is toreplenlsli the supply of clay in themold Well if the well is not large enough to hold an adequate supply orfor other purposes as detailed later.

The feeders are assembled on shaft 5 in Fig. l and shafts E and 5a inFig. 2, in the latter view diagrammatically only. The numben locationand spacing of feeders corresponds to that of one or more groups ofmolds.- While the entire production may be the same, in the making adiversied production, wherein the size and shape o! appendage and/orWare may vary in successive order, the molds are arranged in groups,each group having the same number and each mold occupying the sameposition in corresponding groups. The number of feeders correspond tothe number of molds in a group and are arranged to serve the same moldin each group. The circumference of the feeder sprocket is divisible bythe length of chain required to seat a group of molds. Thus, forexample, if the molds are on 8" centers and the bend or loop (sprocket)is six foot in circumference then a group of molds will comprise 9molds. In a 2,700 foot chain there would be 300 groups of molds andthere would be nine feeders arranged on 40 centers. Thus each feeder canbe tooled and adjusted .to serve a particular type of Ware to the bestadvantage.

In Figs. 3 and 4. we show how each feeder assembly is adjustably securedto the center shaft i 5. `All the feeders are identical in constructionand therefore only one will be described in detail. A verticallydisposed base member M is contoured at 5to t the circumference of theshaft 5 and is secured thereto by screws 46 and 4l through over-sizeholes 48 to permit slight vertical and circumferential adjustment. leverarrangement G9 is pivoted at 50 to the base 44 and intermediate the endsthereof is a feed pipe support 5l trunnioned in elongated vertical slots52 in the levers whichl permits a limited amount of vertical lost motionbetween the pipe and the levers. To the unsecured end of the lever Aduplex.

"arrangement, a roller 53 isv pivotally mounted and adapted to ride on asemi-circular stationary track 54, Fig. 1, provided with downwardlyinclined ends 55 supported from the frame on posts 5. When the rollerrides along the track the feeder is elevated and the ow of slipautomatically shut olf; when the roller is out of engagement with thetrack the feeder is in a lowered position and the flow of slip isautomatically turned on or it remains shut off depending on support, asdescribed in detail later on.

Suspended in threaded adjustable engagement with feed pipe support 5I isthe feed pipe 51 which extends loosely through a bushing 58 threadedinto a horizontal extension 59 of the base member 44. A tapered radialbore 68 in the enlarged head of the pipe 51 permits access of anadjustable length plunger 6I to a flexible tube 52 teiescoped within thebore 'of the pipe 51. rIv'he lower end of the tube is enlarged at 62a toform a resilient gasket for sealing' the brim of the tube bore aroundthe brim'of the well 25. The plunger and tube arrangement serves as avalve for intermittently closing oil the fiow of slip to the mold and toactuate the plunger 8| itis pivoted to one leg of a bell crank 63 whichis pivotally secured to a'b'racket 84, adjustably clamped to the pipe51. A link 86 pivoted tol the other leg of the bellcrank 83 and to theduplex lever 49 serves to retract the plunger after the feed pipe is 'incooperation with the mold.` The operation is such that at the completionof the charging operation and before the pipe Ali1 and gasket 52a islifted to break the seal the plunger is projected against the'tube toshutoff the ow of slip. This lag in functioning in both directions isdue to the lost motion between the support 5I and the levers 49.` Thedegree of contact pressure between the gasket 82a and the mold isadjustable through threaded bushing 58 and spring 58a.

To selectively prevent functioning of aI feeder when no ware is applied,we provide an abutment 61, Fig. 4 on one of the levers 48 which normallyseats on the end of vertical leg of bellcrank 88 pivoted to horizontalextension 59 of the base 44. A pitman 18 is slidingly guided invertically aligned bores in brackets 1l and 12, Fig. 1, of brackets 59and 88. A replaceable cup contact member 13 having a softfacing isadjustably secured to the lower end of the pitman and an enlarged head14 is secured to the upper end of the pitman. Intermediate the ends ofthe pitman an adjustable position collar 15 is secured to limit thepitmans lowermost limit of travelv The horizontal leg of bellcrank 58has a portion 18 projecting over the head 14. Contact member Il isadjusted to clear the ware when in elevated position and contact theware prior to seating of gasket- 82a on mold top to thereby tilt thebellcrank suilicient to cause the vertical bellcrank leg to clear theabutment 81 and thus permit lever49 to continueits full down travel.open the valve andchargetlie molding cavity. If a cup is not inposition, the descent of pitman with the lever 48 will not be checkedand therefore the bellcrank 68 will remain in alignment with theabutment 61, thus preventing descent of lever 49 and retraction of theplunger 8l.

Slip is supplied to the feeding mechanism by gravity flow from a,container 11 secured to top of shaft 5 through hoses 18 clamped tocontainer nipples 19 and pipes 51. Each feeder has a control valve 88for regulating the rate of flow of slip into the mold. Slip is suppliedto the container whetheror not a piece of ware is in place on the mentswith slip, supply pipes such as 8| could be arranged adjacent the rim ofthe container and a lever provided to trip a valve each time thecompartment registered with the pipe. 'I'he container 11 may be of anydesired capacity.

The system operates as follows: The ware is jiggered or cast in molds,preferably by automatic machine. such as that shown in the patent toWilliam J. Miller, 2,046,525. These jiggering and/or casting molds aretransported on a conveyor represented by 82, Fig. 2 through a dryer (notshown) and when the ware is leatherhard, it is removed through anopening of the dryer which is preferably located adjacent the loadingpoint C'of ythe appendaging machine, manually topped and sponged andthen placed directly on the correct appendaging unit.

Starting with the prefabricated ware in inverted position over thesupport 32 at station C, Fig. 1, with the mold open as shown in Fig. 5,the conveyor I (which is incontinuous motion) moves the casting unittothe left toward the feeder and a stationary, adjustably positioned,track side trip 88 engages the lever 31 just prior to entering thecurved section of the track and beforev the feeder isglowered to therebycausethe sections of the appendage mold to close. If the Ware is appliedo'flfcen`ter` -(and it is not necessary that it be precisely located onthe support) the mold sections will nudge the ware into approximatelyproper position. After the mold sectionsr have closed, continuedmovement of the lever 31 advances the thrustor 32 to first finallyposition the ware, then press the adjacent portion of ware wall againstthe contoured surface of the mold in leak-proof sealing relation` withthe opening of the molding cavity. As the lever 31 approaches its limitof movement, link 43 travels over the center of lever 81 to thereby lockthe mold halves together and the thrustor against the internal wall ofthe ware.

As the mold enters the arcuate section 1 of the track, the orifice of aselected overhead feeder comes into registry with the charging well 24dof the mold. Immediately after registry, the feeder descends and as soonas the nozzle is seated over the filling opening, the slip control valveis opened to thereby charge the mold with slip. This occurs whilst boththe feeder and mold are in motion around the curved section 1 of thetrack 2. At the approach of the rectilinear portion of ,the track 2opposite the loading station C the slip is shut off and the feeder israised, the feeder continuing on and around the circle to repeat thecharging operation on corresponding molds in successive groups of molds.

'I'he ware and mold are preferably conveyed through an appendagedsetting chamber 83 immediately after the mold is lled. It is preferredto maintain a moist, humid, stagnant atmosphere therein to condition andprevent drying out of the ware whilst the handle is hardening in themold. This chamber comprises an elongated hood 88 encompassing the track2 having air-conby this time has hardened and united to the.

Ware. The operator removes' the appendaged ware from the unit, flips oilthe material formed in the Well ltd and then smooths the mold joint iin(if any) od the appendage.

The Ware is then placed on a conveyor t@ shown in Fig. 2, operatingalongside the unloading zone D. It is preferred that this. conveyortransport the ware through a drying chamber. In once fired ware, a glazebath spray machine or bath (not shownlmay be located alongside conveyorto, and the ware glaze coated and then placed on the conveyor. After theware is dried, it is preferably transferred from the drying conveyordirectly to the kiln, the only manual handling being that of applying itto, and removing it from the appendaging machine and placing it in thekiln.

To rapidly and Within a short portion of conveyor length restore theappendage casting mold to optimum dehydrated conditionl for refilling,we have provided a drying-zone between the unloading point D and theloading point C.r In this acne is disposed means for force drying andcleaning the mold capable of directing heated dry air at high velocityinto the open mold. This means comprises a stationary elongated chamberdi, Fig. l, partly covering the track `2. Two aligned bearings 605secured to the chamber support a longitudinally movable pipe al having amultiple of downwardly directed nozzles @t having the samecenter tocenter spacing as the molds. A exible hot air supply duct te, Fig. l,connected to a source of heated air permits the pipe to move. Eachcasting unit has an upright pin at, vFig. 7, positioned so as to engagea pivoted detent @t on shift bar ill connected tov pipe 92 by angle @ilto thereby propel the pipe along with the conveyor with the nozzles inregistry with a multiple of the fully or partly opened inolds. When thelead nozzle strikes the end bearing, the pipe is halted and pin atpushes the end. oi detent up and the spring S9, Fig. 7, snaps the pipeback to original position. Spring it@ resets datent Se which is held inpin engaging position by a detent (not, shown), where it is picked up bythe next succeeding pin and again moved along with the molds.

Longitudinal air travel may be eected byinn clining the nozzles to rightor removing the pipe and jetting the air horizontally into the moldissuing end of the tunnel, to thereby apply the driest air to theissuing mold and discarding the spent damp air at the mold entrance end.The nozzles may be directed at an angle to the vertical so that the airwill strike the cavity at an oblique angle instead of blowing straightdown. also, the nozzles may be Siamesed so that each mold section willbe independently served.

.dir pinged angularly at high velocity against the walls oi the moldingcavity thoroughly dries and hardens the sharp marginal edges of themolding cavity.' This extends the useful life of the mold particularlywhen it is done between 'fillings as herein. The longer these marginaledges remain sharp the less likelihood there is of producing undesirablefins along the seam.

scavenging the mold after each lling dislodges electrolytic salts andother bits oi material which might adhere to the wall of the moldingcavity. Thus, the pores of the mold are kept open and its ability toabsorb water not impeded. By drying the mold and keeping its poresclean, the time required to solidify an appendage should remainsubstantially constant.

In a system where continuity of production is depended upon theperformance oi operations on a time table basis, the matter oi restoringmolds to optimum condition becomes highly irnportant if not vital to thereliable operationr of the system.

scavenging the mold also cleans the mating surfaces of foreign particleswhich otherwise might prevent perfect mating of the two mold sections.imperfect mating would undoubtedly result in leakage thereby smearingthe opposite faces of the mating mold .sections with slip which wouldshorten the useful life of the mold. By taking steps to avoid thecondition, manual inspection and cleaning, which otherwise would benecessary, is eliminated.

In'nianual practice, large rectangular molds measuring about 14 x 14 x21@ thick containing about 2e handle cavities are employed. Theseinvariably warp during curing, thus leaving clearance in certain zonesbetween the opposing faces sumcient for slip to flow into and leave a nof varied thickness and height on the handle. This has to be manuallycut o.

In avoiding this, we cast the molds in individual cases to therebyminimize warpage and the occurrence of undesired clearance. Our

ventional cup handles would measure about 3 x 11/2 wide X 11A thick,thus practically elimihating warpage and incidentally reducing plastervolume and cost per mold at least 70%. The mold has a thin section ascompared' with standard manual molds and this combined with forceddrying prevents premature internal rot and deterioration, from moisturevwhich the mold absorbs.

Vastly increased mold life, low cost molds and convenient exchange ofmolds, enables and automatically' insures continuous production ofperiect handles since it discourages retention of blunted cavity edge orotherwise defective inolds, through increased labor required by emptierattendant to remove the n or eradicate other defleets.

One advantageous feature of this invention is that it eliminates highpriced skilled labor and insures dependable perfection uniformity inshapes, location and bond value of appendages on all ware. They are puton straight vertically and radially which improves the appearance of thehnished product and increases its sale value.

Another advantage is that the process is selectively continuous so thatinterruption or exhaustion of supply of one or moreware shapes does notdetrimentally eiiect normal production of the remaining ware shapes,thus eliminating handle or mold storage, losses and labor expenseincident thereto. u

Another advantage is that ware oi."` various sizes and shapes can beapendaged in rapid succession and the appendages can be of differentsize, coniiguration, color or material suited to the ware to which it isapplied. Furthermore, by variably coloring or applying distinguishingindicia to each type of mold, the identity thereof can be instantly andreliably established by the operator and the proper ware applied to theproper unit, thus preventing errors where the production diversiilcationis extensive.

Another advantage is that shape changes may be quickly accomplishedeither by pulling the mold sections oif the hinge pin and replacing themwith another set or by lifting out the plaster inserts, While themachine is in motion thereby saving considerable time and avoidingproduction interruption. Furthermore, the molds can be made up beforehand to proper sizes and specifications and stored in segregated binsconvenient to the .operator who will be ln a position to detect wornmolds and quickly replace the same.

Another advantage is that the system can be set up and operated insynchronized conjunction with the continuous operating chain dryerconveyor ort an automatic ware forming machinery and adds one more steptoward placing the manufacture of appendaged ware on a line productionbasis with a constant ilow of articles along a prescribed path, free ofoperational interruption and time consuming production lags which is socharacteristic of manual production. Another advantage is that the wastematerial can be disposed of without loss of time or extra motions andthe molds are kept cleaner and the ware protected from contamination.Furthermore, the speed with which the mold can be exchanged does notinterfere with the operator loading or unloading the conveyor.

'Another advantage is that the feeder automatically refuses to functionif there is no ware on the support, thus avoiding spilling slip over themold faces, chain, etc. and slip wastage.

Another advantage is that the ware is not a1- lowed to dry out while theappendage is solidifying and both the appendage and ware aresubstantially equal in moisture content when removed from the conveyor,thereby minimizing the possibility of warped or sprung appendages.

Another advantage is that the ware is held in leakproof sealed .relationwith the margins of the cavity thus clearly defining the juncturemargins and facilitating streamlining and blending the handle juncturethrough a fillet, thus producing a super quality joint and bondgenerally known as a welded joint" having double strength of jointsemployed on conventional ware. It is impossible in practice to obtain anair-tight seal between the adjacent faces of the mold and this providessufcient vent for escape of all air from the mold cavity, withoutpermitting entrance of slip.

Another advantage is that by providing more than one'feeding station, amore viscous slip vcan be .employed in one or more stations and the needfor a large capacity reserve well is eliminated. The secondary feedingstation or stations can be located at`or about the point where theorifice clogs or original supply becomes depleted and slip under adifferent hydrostatic head or composition employed. Thus, the amount ofwaste material is sharply reduced, the well can be made smaller, orificeclogging and 'appendage cavitation is reliably avoided.

A further advantageis that the slip ows in a closed conduit from acontainer into the molding cavity and abuts against the wall of the cup,

chamber, thus eliminating complicated valving and volume controlmechanism. Tedious calculations and presetting of charge volume, con'-tamination and air entrapment enroute is avoided.

Another advantage is that by proper partitioning of the slip container,slip of diiferent color, composition, fluidity, etc. can be fed tosucceeding molds,

r.It will be understood that the conveyor may be provided with pairs ofcasting units arranged in sideby side relation straddling the conveyorchain. Feeding ofclay to the molds can be accomplished by providing adouble circle of feeders in an obvious manner.

In regard to the matter of solidifying appendages, while an 'idealarrangement is one wherein, means are provided, such as the settingchamber disclosed, in which atmospheric conditions congenial to the warecan be established. we do not limit ourselves to the use of this chamberas a means for exclusively retarding the dehydration .of the ware sinceit may be used to promote accelerated handleldrying by raising thetemperature to a point Where there is enforced drying of the appendagemold. Normally,

the absorption capacity of the molds will be such that before thesaturation point is reached, all the Water that is to be abstracted fromthe slip will be abstracted. Thus evaporation of liquid constituentsabsorbed bythe mold from the surface of the mold would not be necessary,however, if the absorption capacity of the molds was below the amount ofWater to be absorbed then, the temperature in the chamber could well beraised to promote evaporation of liquid constituents from the mold. Wehave found that the system may operate Without a conditioning chamberand that the chain may simply be extended back into the factory and thesolidiflcation carried out at room temperature. Moreover, we have notedthat the article of ware itself is instrumental in solidifying theappendage. The ware is damp and water will capillary thereinto from theslip and be evaporated from the sur- 'face of the ware. By retardingdehydration, through providing a moist atmosphere highly saturated withWater vapor, the mold absorbs the major portion of the Water in theslip, but whether the atmosphere in the chamber is dry or humid, thezone of the article in the vicinity of the appendage terminal appears toremain quite damp due to capillary abstraction of water by the Ware andas long as this condition exists we have found that the ware can beappendaged in open air. In other Words, we wish it understood that aconditioning chamber is not absolutely essential and may be omittedWithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

'Ihe entire machine may be operated in a periodic'fashion, that is tosay, a predetermined number of molds may be filled and run into theconditioner. The machine may be stopped for an `interval necessary tosolidify the appendages and then started up again in order to strip theware and re-load vthe conveyor. A machine opthe cavity serving as acharge volume measuring l5 erated in this manner could have a smallernumber of molds and would probably be advantageous in small plants Whereproduction requirements would not demand continuous operation.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendagecasting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages areslip cast in said molds and united to the ware, means arranged to feedcharges of slip to said molds whilst moving in said path, an appendagesetting chamber through which the apparatus travels and means forreconditioning empty molds.

2. The method of manufacturing` appendaged pottery Ware which comprisesadvancing a line of appendage casting molds and preabricated ware alonga predetermined path, feeding charges of slip to said molds whilstmoving along one portion of said path, in another portion of the pathsolidifying and uniting the appendages to the Ware and in anotherportion of the path opening the molds to atmosphere prior to refilling.

3. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendagecasting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages areslip cast in said molds and united to the ware, means for feeding slipinto said molds mechanically synchronized to move with said molds in aportion of said path andra chamber, through which the apparatus travelsin which the appendages become solided.

4. The method of manufacturing appendaged pottery ware which comprisesadvancing a line of appendage casting molds and Prefabricated Ware alonga predetermined path, feeding charges of slip to said molds whilstmoving in said path and thereafter solidifying the appendages in themolds in an atmosphere congenial to solidifying and uniting theappendage to the ware.

5. In combination with apparatus for advimcq age therefrom andIreconditioning the empty,

molds prior to refilling.

7. The method of manufacturing appendaged pottery ware whichcomprisesadvancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated Ware alonga predetermined path, slip casting appendages in said molds and unitingthe same to the Ware in a portion of said-path, in another portion ofsaid` path solidifying the appendages whilst retarding dehydration ofthe ware and in tion arounda cavity ong of theniold in registry with theplace on the ware determined upon for the appendage and thereafter slipcasting an appendage in the mold to unite with the ware.

10. In the manufacture of appendaged pot tery ware the method whichcomprises preforming the body of the ware, bringing the "ware and anappendage mold into leakproof sealed relation with a cavity opening ofthe mold in registry with the place on the ware determined upon for theappendage, thereafter bringing the iilling opening of the mold intosealed relation with a conduit nlled with slip and discharging slip intothe molding cavity until the molding cavity is niled.

1l. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendagecasting molds and pre- I fabricated ware along a path wherein appendagesare slip cast in said molds and united to the Ware, a slip dischargenozzle through which said slip is fed arranged above the general path oftravel of the molds and adapted to feed charges oi' slip to said moldsand means for precluding `the passage of slip through the nozzle into amold except when there ls ware in association with the mold.

l2. In combination with apparatus for advance ing a line of appendagecasting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages areslip cast in said molds and united to the ware, a slip discharge nozzlethrough which slip is fed arranged alcove the general path of travel ofthe molds and adapted to feed charges of slip `thereinto and one or morenozzles located at points remote from the nrst named nozzle throughwhich additional charges of slip may be fed to the molds.

- fashion as to bring the cavity peiling in the another portion of saidpath restoring the molds to optimum condition for reillling.

8. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage moldsand prefaoricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip` cast insaid molds and united to `the ware, one or more movable slip dischargenozzles through which slip is fed arranged above the general path oftravel of the molds and! adapted to feed charges of slip to molds whilstmoving in said path and means for mechanically synchronizing themovement of the discharge'nozzle or nozzles and the molds.`

9. In the manufacture of appendaged pottery ware the method whichcomprises preforining the body of the ware, pressing the ware and anappendage mold into leakproof sealed relamold into registry with the'place on the ware determined upon for the appendage, introducing slipinto the mold to form an appendage united with? the ware and adding slipto the original charge at one or more points along the path.

14. In the manufacture of appendaged pottery ware, the method whichcomprises, circulating a group of diverse or similar appendage molds inan endless path and in portions of the path disposing articles ofpottery against the cavity of said molds, then feeding charges of slipthereto, transporting the molds and ware through a congenial atmospherewhilst the appendage is solidiylng and thereafter removing the Ware fromthe path and returning the molds for renlling. f

opening or openings therein.

16. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendagecasting molds and prefabricated ware alonga path wherein appendages' areslip cast in said molds and united to the l5. In combination withapparatus for advancing a line of separable appendage casting molds andprefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast inthe-molds and united to the ware, a, plurality of slip discharge nozzlesthrough which slip is fed arranged above the general path of travel ofthe molds and adapted to feed charges of slip to molds Whilst moving insaid path, a chamber through which the molds and ware are transportedsubsequent to mold filling having means for regulating the humidity andtemperature of the air therein, means for automatically opening andclosing said molds and a mold drier comprising a plurality of dischargenozzles through which drying air is applied to the molds arranged abovethe general path of travel of the molds and adapted to apply heated airto the molds whilst movingy in said path.

18. In combinationwith apparatus for slip casting and uniting appendagesto prefabricated pottery ware, a conveyor for transporting appendagemolds along a path wherein appendages are formed and attached to theware composed of a single strand of chain with a/ppendage molds attachedthereto arranged with predominately horizontal ascending and descendingcourses in the zone of appendage solidication.

19. In the mass production manufacture of appendaged pottery ware themethod which consists in advancing appendage molds in repeated closedcycles through an appendage setting zone and a filling unit andautomatically slip casting and uniting appendages to prefabricated wareall whilst the appendage molds are in continuous motion.

20. In the manufacture of appendaged pottery ware the method whichconsists in advancing a line of diverse appendage molds andprefabricated pottery ware along a path wherein appendages are slip castin said molds and united to the ware and providing individualidentification for the molds by means of which the proper size and shapeof article may be selected for cooperation therewith.

21. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of separableappendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a path whereinappendages are slip cast and united to the ware, a plurality of slipdischarge nozzles through which slip is fed arranged above the generalpath of travel of the molds and adapted to feed charges of slip to moldswhilst moving in said path and means for automatically opening andclosing said molds said last named means being supporting prefabricatedware, slip feeding means mounted for movement with the molds, means formechanically synchronizing the movement lof the feeding means and molds,and flow control mechanism for governing the discharge of slip into themolds.

23. In combination, a line of travelling pottery-casting molds, a slipdischarge nozzle having synchronized movement with the line of molds andadapted to co-operate and travel with successive molds moving in thepath, and flow control mechanism operable to discharge slip through thenozzle upon movement of the nozzle into feeding position.

24. In combination, a line of travelling pottery-casting molds, a'slipdischarge nozzle-having synchronized movement with the line of molds andadapted to co-operate-and travel with successive molds, means forraising and lowering said nozzle relative to the molds and flow controlmechanism operable"1n response to raising and lowering of said nozzle togovern the discharge of slip into the molds.

25. In combination, a line of travelling pottery-casting molds, a slipdischarge nozzle having synchronized movement with the line of molds andbeing adapted to feed slip to suc- 40 `cessive molds, said molds andnozzle being relatively movable when traveling in unison and flowcontrol mechanism for governing the discharge of slip into the moldsoperable upon relative movement of thenozzle and molds.

26. In combination, a line of travelling pottery-casting molds moving ina curved path about an axis, a plurality of slip discharge nozzlessynchronized for movement Awith the molds and travelling in a concentriccircular path into and out of registration with successive molds, -flowcontrol means associated with each nozzle for governing the discharge ofslip through said nozzle and means for actuatingV said last namedmeansduring the interval of association of a nozzle and mold in order toflll the mold with slip, and interrupt the discharge of slip prior todisassociation of the mold and nozzle.

WILLIAM J. MILLER. ASHLEY J. REEK.

